Dishwashing machine



April 1, 1941. FORSBERG 2,236,791

DISHWASHING MACHINE 7 Filed Feb. 23, 1938 Patented Apr. 1, 1941DISHWASHING MACHINE v Erik August Forsberg, Nockeby, Sweden, assignor toThe 'De Laval Separator Company, New York,

N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application February 23, 1938, SerialNo. 191,940

In Sweden March 2 1937 17 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved'type of dishwashing machine.

Various dishwashing machines are known in which the plates and otherutensils to be washed are placed on a stand arranged in a container andthen washed by one or more jets of water directed on them from above.The nozzle for forming and directing the jet or jets of wateris usuallyarrangedin a slot provided in the lid which covers the container, and ismoved to and fro in this -slot during the washing. In this type ofconstruction the water must, of course, be fed to the nozzle eitherthrougha flexible conduit or through one provided with movable joints,either of which types of construction involves certain inconveniences ordifliculties, as, for example, the risk of leakage, theshort life of theconduit (if it is a flexible hose), and the fact that the conduit isusually in the way when other work is to be done.

The present invention is directed to a dishwashing machine in which ajet or jets of water, preferably a broad, thin jet or sheet, is directedupon the dishes and caused to move to and fro without the necessity ofusing a movable nozzle or a flexible conduit. In accordance with thisinvention a forceful jet of water is directed from one side of thecontainer for the dishes adjacent its upper rim in a horizontaldirection over the dishes. This J'et, which advantageously is round incross-section, accordingly does not hit the dishes directly. Instead, adeflector plate is positioned in the path of the jet, which deflects thejet downwardly, or obliquely downwardly, and simultaneously spreads theround jet into a fiat, fan-shaped one. The deflector plate is movable toand fro, preferably axially of the jet from the nozzle, and accordinglythe deflected jet is caused to strike all the dishes or other utensilsin the container. The deflector plates in accordance with this inventionmay, of course, have any desired shape, and thus give the deflected,downwardly directed jet a shape other than, and perhaps more suitablethan, the fanlike shape described; or it may cause the jet from thenozzle to be divided into a number of more or less separated, downwardlydirected jets.

The movement of the deflector plate to and fro within the container maybe accomplished either manually by means of a handle extending outsidethe container and connected to the deflector plate, or more or lessautomatically by using the force of the jet of water from the nozzle toeffect the movements of the deflector mentof. the deflector plate it isadvantageous to make use of two jets directed from nozzles on oppositesides of the container and thus exert opposing forces on the deflectorplate.

Other means of effecting or controlling movement of the deflector plateare apparent. Thus, the plate may be arranged to move to and 'fro underthe influence of a water-driven motor enclosed in the container. Whereonly a single jet is used to effect movement of the deflector plate byreason of the force of its impact thereon, it is desirable to regulatethe rate of movement by some suitable brake device. Thus, the deflectorplate may, for example, run on one or more wheels, which drive acentrifugal regulator, which in turn acts on a brake, or the wheel maydrive a wing wheel, against which the air exerts a resistance rapidlyincreasing with the speed of revolution.

Movement of the deflector plate toward the nozzle, in the case whereonly a single jet is used, may be by gravity, as, for example, where thetrack is inclined, or a counterweight may be employed. In place of acounterweight a spring may be used to accomplish the same result.

In any of these types of construction the operation may be made fullyvautomatic by causing the deflector plate to open or close valvescontrolling the water jet or jets as it reaches its respective limits oftravel.

In the accompanying drawing, which shows several embodiments of thisinvention:

Figure 1 is a cross section through a disliwashing machine in accordancewith this invention using a single jet of water in its operation. Figure2 is a cross sectional view of a modified type of dishwashing machine inwhich two opposing jets of water are used, and in which the movement ofthe deflector plate is controlled automatically.

Figure 3 is a detail view, partly in section, of a deflector plateandits mounting in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 4 is a side view of the deflector plate shown in Figure 3, and

'Figure 5 is a detail View, partly in section, of

. a difi'erent type of deflector plate.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a container I provided with anoutlet 3. In the container a plurality of plates 5 are positioned (beingheld in place by conventional stacking means,

' not a part of the present invention and therefore not shown). At oneside of the container 3, adjacent the top thereof, is a nozzle 1conplate. In using the nozzle jets to effect movetrollable by valve 9and provided with a wire or cloth strainer l I, which, in known manner,serves the purpose of eliminating turbulence in the jet of waterdirected from the nozzle. The container is closed by a cover IS in whichis provided a slot l5 parallel with the jet emitted by the nozzle I.Mounted in the cover It and adapted to moveto. and fro in the slot II isthe deflector assembly comprising a deflector plate ll positioned belowthe cover and in the line of the jet from thenozzle I, and a handle l9positioned above the cover. A spring 2| extends from the handle I! to abracket 23 mounted on top of the cover l3.

In operation a jet of liquid 8 is directed from the nozzle 1 against thedeflector plate H, by means of which it is deflected obliquelydownwardly and simultaneously spread out into a fanlike jet III, whichstrikes the plates 5. As the deflector plate I! is moved across thecontainer the jet l strikes each of the dishes in turn. Movement of thedeflector plate I! may be accomplished manually by means of the handlel9, or may be accomplished ina more automatic fashion by control of thevalve 9. Thus, as the force of the jet 8 leaving the nozzle I isincreased by opening the valve 9, the deflector plate M will be causedto move from left to right against the action of the spring 2|, whilewhen the valve 9 is partly closed to diminish the force of the jet 8,the deflector plate ll will move from right to left under the influenceof the spring 2|.

In the structure shown in Figure 2 the container l is provided with twoopposed nozzles l and 1' arranged on opposite sides thereof adjacent thetop, and the deflector-plate I1 is provided with two opposed deflectingsurfaces upon.

which the jets 8 and 8' from the two nozzles impinge and are deflecteddownwardly and combined to form the jet 19.

The deflector plate I1 is mounted on a holder 25 adapted to travelwithin the slot I5 on rollers 21 which rest upon the cover l3. Mountedabove the cover 13 is a rod 29 which is connected at one end by means ofarm 3| to the valve 9' controlling nozzle 1' and is guided at its otherend in a fixed support 30. Two adjustable stops 33 are positioned uponthe rod 29, and are adapted to be engaged by the holder 25 as thedeflector plate ll" approaches its extreme limit of travel in eachdirection. The range of movement of the rod 29 may be limited by anadjustable set screw 35 set in the support 30.

In the structure shown in Figure 2 the jet 9' from the nozzle 1' issomewhat larger in crosssection than the jet 8. Moreover, as shown, thejet 8' is deflected more sharply by the deflector plate I I than is jet8. As a result of these two factors the force exerted on the deflectorplate H by the jet 8' is greater than that exerted by the jet 8, and thedeflector plate tends to move from right to left. However, when thedeflector plate ll has nearly reachedits extreme leftward position theholder 25 engages one of the stops 33, and continued movement of thedeflector plate l1 results in movement of the rod 29 to partly close thevalve 9'. The force exerted by jet I now is in excess of that exerted bythe throttled jet 9, and the deflector plate I1 will move from left toright until the holder 25 engages the other of the stops 33 and thusmoves the rod 29 to open the valve 9' again.

Of course, the requisite difference in the force exerted by the twbopposed jets on the deflector plate may be accomplished in other ways.Thus, one jet may have a normal velocity of flow lower than that of theother jet; or the difference may be accomplished solely by having onejet larger in cross section than the other, or solely by deflecting twojets at different angles. any of these factors may be combined in anydesired manner, and the backward and forward movement of the deflectorplate may be accomplished either by throttling only the stronger of thetwo jets or by alternately throttlingand unthrottling both of the jetssimultaneously.

In the structures just described it will'be-noted that the deflectorplate extends below the lower edge of the cover assembly. Consequentlythere is danger that when the cover is removed and placed upon, forexample, a table, the deflector plate may be damaged by being scratchedor deformed, so that the deflected jet formed thereby will have anundesirable direction or shape. To avoid this danger resort may be hadto the type of construction shown in Figures 3 to 5.

In Figure 3 there is shown a deflector plate assembly in which theholder 31 for the deflector plate is provided with a pair of ears 39 inwhich the portion ll of the deflector plate 43 is secured so as to havethe deflector plate tiltably connected to the holder 31. A plate spring45 contacts the portion ll of the deflector plate, and is provided inits center with a boss 41 which engages a recess inthe portion ll tothereby secure the deflector plate l3 in its operating position as shownin Figure 4. The deflector plate 43 can, however, be tilted up to aprotected position against the action of the spring 45, which then keepsthe plate in this position by means of friction between the spring andthe portion 4|. Of course, the portion ll may, if desired, be providedwith a second recess into which the boss 41 enters when the deflectorplate is in its protected position.

In Figure 5 there is shown a somewhat modifled structure in which theplate spring is replaced by a spiral spring 49 which acts to force a apin 5| into engagement with recesses 53 in the portion ll of thedeflector plate. By means of the handle 55 the pin 5| may be liftedupward against the action of the spring 49 to permit movement of thedeflector plate 43 from one po sition to another.

What I=claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. Dishwashing apparatus comprising a container for the dishes to bewashed, a flxed nozzle associated therewith and adapted to direct a jetof liquid in a path adjacent to but not in contact with the dishes to bewashed, and a deflector plate positioned in the path of said jet andadapted in any one position to deflect the jet and direct the deflectedjet substantially only upon the dishes in a portion of the containerdetermined by the position of the deflector plate, said deflector platebeing bodily movable axially of said initial jet to cause the deflectedjet to contact all the dishes in the container.

2. Dishwashing apparatus comprising a container for the dishes to bewashed, a flxed home associated therewith and adapted to direct a jet ofliquid in a path adjacent to but not in contact with the dishes to bewashed, a deflector plate positioned ,in the path of said jet andadapted in any one position to deflect the jet and direct the deflectedjet substantially only upon the dishes in a portion of the containerdetermined by the position of the deflector plate, and means for movingsaid deflector plate bodily axially of the, initial jet to cause thedeflected jet to contact all the dishes in the container.

Obviously v 3. Dishwashing apparatus comprising a container for thedishes to be washed, a fixed nozzle associated therewith and adapted todirect a jet of liquid in a path adjacent to but not in contact with thedishes to be washed, a cover for said container provided with a slotextending substantially the entire width thereof and parallel to thesaid jet, a carrier mounted in said cover for movement along said slot,and a deflector plate secured to said carrier and positioned in the pathof'said jet so as to deflect the jet and direct the deflected jet uponthe dishes.

4. Dishwashing apparatus comprising a container for the dishes to bewashed, a fixed nozzle associated therewith and adapted to direct a jetof liquid in a path adjacent to but not in contact with the dishes tobewashed, and adeflector plate positioned in the path of said jet andadapted in any one position to deflect the jet and direct the deflected.jet substantially only upon the dishes in a portion of the containerde-- der the force of the impact of the jet to cause the deflected jetto contact all the dishes in the container.

5. Dishwashing apparatus comprising a container for the dishes to bewashed, a fixed nozzle associated therewith and adapted to direct a jetof liquid in a path adjacent to but not in contact with'the. dishes tobe washed, a deflector plate positioned in the path of said jet andadapted in any one position to defl'ect the jet and direct the deflectedjet substantially only upon the dishes in a portion of the containerdetermined by the position of the deflector plate, said deflector platebeing bodily movable axially of the initial jet and away from saidnozzle under the force of the impact of the jet to cause the deflectedjet to contact all the dishes in the container, and means resisting saidmovement of the deflector plate. I

6. Dishwashing apparatus comprising a container for the dishes to bewashed, a fixed nozzle associated therewith and adapted to direct a jetof liquid in a path adjacent to but not in contact with the dishes to bewashed, a deflector plate positioned in the path of said jet and adaptedin any one position to deflect the jet and direct the deflected jetsubstantially only upon the dishes in a portion of the containerdetermined by the position of the deflector plate, said deflector platebeing bodily movable, axially of the initial jet and away from saidnozzle under. the-force of the impact of the jet to cause the deflectedjet to contact all the dishes in the container, and means resisting saidmovement of the deflector plate and tending to move it toward saidnozzle when the force exerted by said initial jet is sufiicientlydiminishedf 7. Dishwashing apparatus comprising a container for thedishes to be washed, a. fixed nozzle associated therewith and adapted todlrecta jet of liquid in a path adjacent to but not in contact with thedishes to be 'washed, a deflector plate positioned in the path of saidjet and adapted in any one position to deflect the jet and direct thedeflected jet substantially only upon the dishes in a portion of thecontainer determined by the position of the deflector plate, saiddeflector plate being bodily movable axially of the initial jet and awayfrom'said nozzle under the force of the impact of the jet to cause thedeflected jet to contact all the dishes in the container, meansresisting said movement of the deflector plate and tending to move ittoward said nozzle when the force exerted by said initial jet issufiiciently diminished, and means for periodically varying the forceexerted on said deflector plate by the initial jet to cause thedeflector plate to move to and fro.

8. Dishwashing apparatus comprising a container for the dishes to bewashed, a fixed nozzle associated therewith and adapted to direct a jetof liquid in a path adjacent to but not in contact with the dishes to bewashed, a deflector plate positioned in the path of said jet and adaptedto deflect the jet and direct the deflected jet upon the dishes,saiddefiector plate being movable axially of the initial jet and awayfrom said nozzle under the force of the impact of the jet to cause thedeflected jet'to contact all the dishes in 'the container, meansresisting said movement of the deflector plate and tending to move ittoward said nozzle when the force exerted by said initial jet issufilciently diminished, and

Y tainer'for the dishes to be Washed, a pair of fixed nozzles associatedtherewith and adapted to direct two opposed initial jets of liquid inpaths adjacent to but not in contact with the dishes to be washed, and adeflector plate positioned in the paths of both said jets, adapted todeflect and combine the two jets and direct thedeflected jet so formedupon the dishes, said deflector plate' being movable axially of saidinitial jets to cause the deflected jet to contact all the dishes in thecontainer.

10. Dishwashing apparatus comprising a container for the dishes to bewashed, 9. pair of fixed nozzles associated therewith and adapted todi-- rect two opposed jets of liquid in paths adjacent to but not incontact with the dishes to be washed, a deflector plate positioned inthe paths of both said jets and adapted to deflect and combine the twojets and direct the deflected jet so dishes to be washed, and adeflector plate positioned in the paths of both said jets adapted todeflect and combine the "two jets and direct the deflected jet so formedupon the dishes, said deflector plate being movable axially of saidinitial jets to cause the deflected jet to contact all the dishes in thecontainer.

12. Dishwashing apparatus comprising a con-' tainer for the dishes to bewashed, a pair of fixed nozzles associated therewith and adapted todirect two parallel, opposed jets of liquid in paths adjacent to but notin contact with the dishes to be washed, a deflector plate positioned inthe paths of both said jets and adapted to deflect and combine the twojets and direct the deflected jet so formed upon the dishes, and meansfor moving said deflector plate axially of said jets to cause thedeflected jet to contact all the dishes in the. container.

13. Dishwashing apparatus comprising a container for' the dishes to bewashed, a pair of fixed nozzles associated therewith and adapted todirect two parallel, opposed jets of liquid in paths adjacent to but notin contact with the dishes to be washed, and a deflector platepositioned in the paths of both said jets and adapted to deflect andcombine the two jets and direct the deflected jet so formed upon thedishes, said deflector plate being movable axially of the initial jetsunder the influence of the resultant force due to difference in theforces exerted on said deflector plate by the respective jets. I

14. Dishwashing apparatus comprising a container for the dishes to bewashed, a pair of flxed nozzles associated therewith and adapted todirect two parallel, opposed jets of liquid in paths adjacent to but notin contact with the dishes to be washed, a deflector plate positioned inthe paths of both said jets and adapted to deflect and combine the twojets and direct the de- Iflected jet so formed upon the dishes, saiddeflector plate being movable axially of the initial jets under theinfluence of the resultant force due to difference in the forces exertedon said deflector .plate by the respective jets, and means forperiodically varying the force exerted on said deflector plate by atleast one of said initial jets to cause the deflector plate to move toand fro.

15. Dishwashing apparatus comprising a container for the dishes to bewashed, a pair of fixed nozzles associated therewith and adapted todirect two parallel, opposed jets of liquid in paths adjacent to but notin contact with the dishes to be washed, 9. deflector plate positionedin the paths of both said jets and adapted to deflect and combine thetwo jets and direct the deflected jet so formed upon the dishes, saiddeflector plate being movable axially of the initial jets under theinfluence of the resultant force due to difference in the forces exertedon said deflector plate by the respective jets, and means forperiodically varying the force exerted on said deflector plate by atleast one of said initial jets to cause the deflector plate to move toand fro, said last named means being actuated by move-1 ment of thedeflector plate.

16. Dishwashing apparatus in accordance with, claim 1, additionallycharacterized by the fact that the deflector plate is tiltably mountedso that it may be swung from operative to an inoperative position. I

17. Dishwashing apparatus in accordance with claim 3, additionallycharacterized by the fact that the deflector plate is tiltably mountedso that it may be swung from operative to an inoperative position.

ERIK AUGUST FORSBERG.

